“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein
And there you have it. One year in the books as your principal. We have had so many milestones this year that I can't even begin to count them. From introducing new events to add to our traditions, or embracing the traditions we already have to build up school pride and spirit, there are so many things to talk about. The staff had so many initiatives this year that they started. Mrs. Morris and her amazing art projects throughout the year, Mr. Alley retooling the athletics programs to make them run smoothly, Mr. Lierz and his multiple projects like doing the sidewalks for the building, Brandi putting together our first ever powderpuff football game, or Mr. Baldridge and the hump day event. That is just to name a few. There were so so many more.
Then there is our amazing community and their involvement. Just yesterday I got to witness yet another instance of how incredible our community is. Cody Askrin hosted the Honor Flight Labor Auction and did such an amazing job. He kept the crowd laughing the whole while. He didn't have much material to work with either considering every guardians apparently rehearsed that their answer to what they are capable of doing was, "anything". He managed to get the crowd to raise a staggering $6500 for Honor flight. This combined with all of the other community involvement events this year have managed to raise enough that we have hit our mark for the trip. So you understand how much of a milestone that is, Honor flight is independently funded, not one dime of school money goes into this program. To take one of these flights takes roughly $25,000. This community, with the hard work of our student guardians, managed to raise all of our funds in the past 4 months. It is staggering that we were able to make this happen. Because of your help, there are 25 fellow veterans that are going to get a once in a lifetime experience. I thank you all for this. This is just one example of how incredible our community is. We have done so much together this year.
Oh and we aren't done yet either. Track just had an astronomical outing at regionals with 12 events making it to state as they are off to Wichita this coming week. And our Honor Flight trip will be coming up in June. That plus summer camps for sports and all of he summer projects we have planned, Y'all are in for a treat when you make it back to the building in the fall. So we really aren't done by a long shot. Don't stop when you are tired, stop when you are done.
Keep on making a difference.
Derek E. Smith
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Labor Auction | Big jump! | Dawson going big. |
Labor Auction
Big jump!
Dawson going big.
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In memory The seniors made a moving gesture during graduation of placing their roses on the seat where Melinda would have been sitting. | Class of 2023 Go make a difference | Key Notes by Keehn The seniors selected Mr. Keehn to be their key note speaker at graduation. Thank you for the words to live by sir. |
In memory
Class of 2023
Key Notes by Keehn
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Val and Sal Kanyon and Josie gave a great address duirng the 8th grade promotion. and remember students, WEAR DEODERANT! | Student Speakers Several students were involved in the promotion. Alexis, Grand, and Ethan did a great job coming up on stage and doing their part. | Certified |
Val and Sal
Student Speakers
Certified
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Honor Flight
This past Saturday we had a meet and greet with the guardians and any veterans that were close enough to attend. It was a great opportunity for the students to meet their veterans as well as show the veterans the school and give them a chance to see how deeply routed in military tradition our own building is. Mr. Andrews gave them the historic tour of the facility after the meal and it was great.
If you would like to donate to the honor flight program at JH, you can do so here
JR/SR High Events This Week: May 22-27
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
HS Track State Tournament Wichita 8:00 am
Derek E. Smith
Check out that youngster. All I really remember about that day was that our high school gym did not have air conditioning and it was measurably hot in there. I was the last class to graduate in that gym as the whole place was remodeled the following year. Here is my dad and I right after the ceremony. We were hot and miserable. However, check out the ties! I still have both of those.
After graduation last Sunday, I sat down with Britt and discussed how I had no memory of high school graduation, but I do remember that it was the most important day in my life at the time. That is probably because 8 weeks later I graduated from basic training in the Air force and then six years later I graduated as a Basic Military Training Instructor. Those two I remember every minute of. A part of this is because of what those two meant to me. Less than 1% of Americans join the military and then less than 1% of them become basic training instructors. I had to work incredibly hard for both of these. I never went through college graduation for any of my degrees because they weren't as meaningful to me. While graduating high school feels ordinary by comparison, it was one of the most important steps in line that shaped what I did with the rest of my life that led me to Jackson Heights to become the principal.
For graduates, all I ask is that you be the best at whatever you choose to do with your life. None of your achievements are less important than anyone else's if it is important to you.
Always try to be nice, but never fail to be kind.
